Frank Cook: In April this year, I was visited by two young students, who complained about the inequality of funding between their sixth form college and colleges of further education. They were most anxious to make an impact on what they saw as an inequitable position. On seeking my advice, the best I could give them was that they should start up a petition and secure as many signatures as possible to support their cause. That, they have done, but with the general election and summer recess intervening, it has come back to life only now.
	The two students were Linzi Cooper and Emma Lavery, students of Bede college, Billingham and the petition relates to the residents of Billingham and others.
	The petition states:
	That students of Bede College are proud of their OFSTED report, which found that "levels of achievement are high and few students leave the college before completing the course", but that students are anxious at the concerns of Principal Mrs. Miriam Stanton who said, "while current performance is good we are very worried that we can not invest enough in developing our buildings, our equipment and our staff to preserve this for future students".
	The petitioners list five strong bullet points and pray that the Government take account of them and put into action all their claims
	at the earliest possible date.
	And the Petitioners remain, etc.
	To lie upon the Table.